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Big Ratings for V.P. Debate

Updated | 6:15 p.m.: Nielsen’s television ratings confirm what polls and pundits are saying: the level of interest in this year’s vice-presidential matchup is unprecedented.

Thursday’s debate between Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Gov. Sarah Palin reached an average of 69.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched V.P. debate in television history. The previous record was set in 1984 when 56.7 million watched the debate between George H.W. Bush and Geraldine Ferraro.

This year the vice-presidential candidates easily beat the contenders at the top of the ticket. Last week’s debate between Barack Obama and John McCain reached 52.4 million viewers.
Much of the interest in the V.P. debate can be attributed to what the Web site The Drudge Report on Friday called the “Sarah Show.” The introduction of Ms. Palin to the national stage five weeks ago injected energy into the running mate race and Thursday’s debate registered a 41.7 household rating, meaning that more than 40 percent of homes with TV’s were watching to see how Mr. Biden and Ms. Palin fared.

Of the 11 networks that telecast the debate, ABC was the highest-rated one, drawing 13.1 million viewers. NBC averaged 12.8 million viewers and CBS reached 11.1 million.

The debate set new records for two cable channels that telecast the debate. The Fox News Channel’s audience of 11.1 million total viewers was its largest in its 12-year history. In the 18- to 34-year-old demographic, CNN averaged 3.16 million viewers, setting a 28-year record among young viewers.

People tuned in for several reasons; but, they were looking for a game changing moment. That is, would either Joe Biden or Sarah Palin doe something which would push the election one way or another. Fortunately, the biggest news out of this debate was that nothing bad happened, both individuals gave a civil and engaging debate. Joe Biden shined on his experience compared that of Sarah Palin. Though, a Sarah palin who was allowed to be herself was more refreshing than the forced canned speeches and tight reigns she has been kept under for the past several weeks.

As it stands right now, I am more comfortable with Joe Biden being VP, than Sarah Palin in the event the worse happens. Sarah Palin just does not have the grasp on domestic and foreign issues which would be needed to step in the role of president. In eight years, with more national style experience, she could be. She has to learn to address the political spectrum of America; not just the far right. She has to learn to keep her religious beliefs out of politics.

So, for the time being, Joe Biden is the better VP choice which would make a successful barack Obama administration.

It’s great that Sarah Barracuda acquitted herself well. That’s really great for WOMEN. The right will no longer be able to say a woman’s place is in the home. The left will have another example in addition to Hillary Clinton that shows that women can step on the stage under extreme pressure and be equal or better than the men they’re debating. It’s all around good.

That said, the debates are just a corporate puppet show. The two parties are completely controlled by the big money they get from corporations. They all want more nuclear power plants and missiles. They all want to escalate the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They all want more offshore oil drilling. They all supported FISA. They’re all for the BAILOUT to line the pockets of the wall streeters who will be selling off more and more stock to foreign countries to keep their golden parachutes flying in the next year anyway. (So we’re bailing out China.) None of these Democrats and Republicans are saying anything outside the narrow swath of views approved by corporate America. Nor will they.

I’m going to vote for Nader. He’s the only one who’s against the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He’s the only one who didn’t support the FISA bill. He’s the only one who isn’t for more nuclear power plants, more offshore oil drilling and more nuclear missiles. He’s also the only one who against the bailout and for much more strict regulation of wall street. The little guy needs a real advocate in the white house.

The ratings are high for a very good reason. It is reasonable to assume that Palin and Biden have a real possibility to become President of the United States. Gwen Ifill did a good job when she raised the issue during the debate. In the end, Americans will feel more comfortable with Biden being the President should it come to that. Of course, we all pray that the candidates on the top of the ticket will stay healthy and that God will protect their safety.

One has to wonder if the current state of the economy and it’s resulting economic uncertainty is not causing more people to stay home and save money… hence less people out and about spending money and more at home watching television.

Gov. Palin got off the best “zingers” in the debate. She understood the U.S. constitution and the role that the Vice President plays in the workings of the Senate better than the former chair of the Senate Judiciary committee. I’m looking forward to seeing her serve as our first female Vice President.

Obama picked a vice president more likely to help him govern the country than win the chance to do so. McCain did the exact opposite–he chose Palin to help him win the election (due to her obvious charm and ability to perform), not because she was the most capable of creating the change that we really need. I think this should say it all–about each candidate’s ambition, judgment, motivations, and goals. It’s about those who just want the power–i.e. Palin’s claim that she would try to expand vice presidential powers–and those who want the power so that they can better the US. Who do you want in charge of our future? The team that uses the exact rhetoric we’ve been hearing since Bush (and as far back as Reagan), or the team that talks about change and how they specifically intend on achieving it?

People were watching to see which shoe dropped first.
They were disappointed.

Gov.Palin was coached and scripted so it is hard to determine whose words she was articulating. Hers…or the McCain’s advisers.
I am sure that those who support the McCain/Palin ticket
are happy with her performance and relieved that the debate is over without any major mistakes. ( She did miss name a General which is minor.)

Those that maybe saw Sen.Biden for the first time had to be impressed.
He connected with the American people (particularly during his personal life exchange) and exuded
confidence and comfort knowing that he could step into
the Presidency if need be without any trouble what so ever.

The results of the Biden Palin Debate, the vast majority of the insta-polls went to the Democratic ticket.

Biden won the CBS poll of undecideds 46-21,
CNN poll of debate watchers had Biden ahead 51-36.
Independents in the large MediaCurves panel went for Biden about 2:1.
MSNBC had Biden 52% and Palin at 38%.

The Republicans may be happier but the Democrats and Independent are swinging for Obama. Even Fox News gave the debate to Biden.

John D., I am not sure which debate you were watching, but you need to go back and watch it again. Palin didn’t present anything she would do different than what’s going on right now in the BUSH administration. And I was certainly not impressed with her ruralbonics. Giving “shouts out” was the straw that broke the camel’s back. This is not a game, it’s our country. Sorry, but Palin did NOT win that debate. She saved face, good for her, but win? “what have I been doing this now for, five weeks?” That comment by Palin sealed the deal and said it all.

A question for steve pesce–
If I remember from previous postings, you’re a California voter. California is almost certainly going for Obama. If that were not the case–that is, if your vote made more of difference–would you still vote Nader?
That is, if I am correct about where you live, you have the luxury of voting your conscience, as opposed to (as I’m guessing you would put it) needing to choose between the lesser of two evils. So, do you really believe there is no difference between the two?

John D., are you sure you are from America because last time I checked people like Palin (Bush & Cheney) has ruined this country and killed jobs. Only rich people got richer under Bush. Palin scares me more than Bush as she is insanely ignorant and utterly extreme.

She won by using Sen. Biden’s own words to destroy his credibility. Her comment that Sen. Biden had been willing to be McCain’s VP too just was icing on the cake. Biden doesn’t know that FDR did radio addresses…but at least he knows Obama is not qualified to be President.

“It’s great that Sarah Barracuda acquitted herself well. That’s really great for WOMEN. The right will no longer be able to say a woman’s place is in the home. The left will have another example in addition to Hillary Clinton that shows that women can step on the stage under extreme pressure and be equal or better than the men they’re debating. It’s all around good.”

– steve pesce

Steve, with all due respect, Gov. Palin is TERRIBLE for women/the view of American women. Gov. Palin does not, and will never, hold a candle to Hillary Clinton. Hillary, unlike Sarah, does not feel the need to wink and shimmy around like a beauty pageant contestant to win the hearts of Americans. I want a female candidate for vice president or president for that matter to show her power and intelligence, and therefore the power and intelligence of American women such as myself, without flirting with the camera. She took too many steps back last night for women.

Yes, I too burst out laughing when she did her “shout-out.” I turned to my spouse and said, “that has got to be the first time in history a VP candidate ever did that!” And the winking – what was with all that?
I’ll be voting for McCain, but Sarah Palin is out of her league.

your are dead wrong, which shows you have no clue what you are talking about. Please read the constitution about the role of VP. Cheney is the most dangerous VP ever since he has more power than the constitution grants. Palin want to make VP position even more powerful. that is scary especially when Palin has no clue what she is talking about.

Did Palin ever answered one question? No, she gave her memorized talking point. Please watch the debate again.

I did not think Gov.Palin’s performance was any better than interviews we watched with CBS anchor. I do not know, whether it is permitted,,but, she was carrying some kind ‘ reading material” appeared to be a stalk of cards, from which she was reading. When Sen Biden was talking, she was not paying attention, but constantly looking down to refresh the reading material. I feel that is not ethical. We are assessing her for nations #2 or even #1 spot, if the ticket wins,,, some control & command of the situation is essential. she will not be able to escape the situations in real life., , things will haunt her, if, she really becomes vice president or even president ( I can’t even think of that possibility).

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